Educational Resources
“Man masters nature not by force, but by understanding.”
— Bronkowski
Recreate Responsibly!
While getting outside and getting your hands dirty, make sure you are doing your part to recreate responsibly. Take a minute to visit our FIND forest friends for tips on how.
Read the story of Smokey Bear and how he became a national icon, and learn a few facts about his life as a bear!
Looking for things to do with your kids or class about Smokey? Check out these Elementary School resources, which are chock full of activity guides, videos, coloring sheets and a full educator’s guide.
For the older kids, check out these Middle School resources that focus on wildfire learning materials, proper campfire etiquette, activities and more.
Learn the proper way to build, maintain and extinguish a campfire while on the trail or in a campground.
Use this list of campfire rules as a guideline every time you’re on the trail or preparing a nice, hot fire for s’mores or hotdogs!
Thinking about starting a bonfire in the back yard or burning some branches and leaves? Check out this step-by-step guide on backyard burning to keep your house, your neighborhood, and yourself safe.
Help Smokey prevent future wildfires by stopping the fire before it even starts.
For the Classroom
Want to get your family or classroom outside and back into nature, but not sure where to begin?
The Natural Inquirer is a middle school science education journal created to allow scientists the opportunity to share their research with students around the country.
Each article explains the current scientific research conducted by scientists in the USDA Forest Service which may include information on trees, wildlife, insects, outdoor activities, water and anything pertaining to the health of our planet.
Learn more →
Community Science
Below are several activities students can take outside and enjoy on a Saturday — or any day! Each PDF download includes an educational guide with information, activities, and citizen science projects to help you FIND outdoors.
Environment
Project Squirrel
World Migratory Bird Day
The Water Cycle
Pollinators
Outdoor Science Skills
Observation Skills
Recording Skills
Sharing Skills
Ecologist
Forester
Cradle Video Series
Looking to educate at home? Here are some fun, educational videos that our team created about the environment for extra learning!
Learn more →
Story Time
Take a break and read along with us. Learn something new with our series of nature-inspired stories, read by Cradle Program Manager Stephanie Bradley.
Discover More Stories
PITTER AND PATTER by Martha Sullivan (Read by permission from Sourcebooks)
THE SALAMANDER ROOM by Anne Mazer (Read with permission of Penguin Random House Publishers)
JO MACDONALD HIKED IN THE WOODS by Mary Quattlebaum (Read with permission from Sourcebooks)
FINE FEATHERED FRIENDS by Tish Rabe (Read with permission of Penguin Random House Publishers)
I CAN NAME 50 TREES TODAY! by Bonnie Worth (Read with permission of Penguin Random House Publishers)
MILES AND MILES OF REPTILES by Tish Rabe (Read with permission of Penguin Random House Publishers)
NOISY FROG SING-ALONG by John Himmelman (Read by permission from Sourcebooks)
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